Iskcon bans monk for 'derogatory' comments on Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahansa

Amogh Lila Das, a monk from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Dwarka, has been banned by the organisation for a month. 

The action was taken against him for “totally inappropriate and unacceptable” comments about two highly revered saintly figures, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda. 

ISKCON, Kolkata, in a release, has clarified that the views expressed by Das “are not representative of the values and teachings” of the organisation. “We beg for your forgiveness,” it added. 

Das, meanwhile, has “taken a vow to go on prayaschit (atonement) for a month in the hills of Govardhan and will completely seclude himself from the public life with immediate effect”, the release mentioned.

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Several reactions have emerged on social media over the controversial remarks. 

Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, on Tuesday, in a tweet stated that ISKCON is “our favourite”. The insult to the two great figures will not be tolerated, and “immediate action should be taken against this so-called monk,” he mentioned.

শ্রীরামকৃষ্ণ ও স্বামী বিবেকানন্দকে অপমান করার জন্য অমোঘ লীলা দাসকে শাস্তি দিল ইস্কন। তাঁকে প্রায়শ্চিত্তের জন্য গিরি গোবর্ধনে নির্বাসনে পাঠানো হচ্ছে। pic.twitter.com/KSbc2ETSNw

— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) July 11, 2023

Tathagata Roy, veteran BJP leader and a former governor, sharing the ISKCON press release on Twitter, mentioned: “Read this communique from ISKCON about some bhand (hypocrite) sadhu Amogh Lila Das. This should set matters at rest.”

Read this communique from ISKCON about some bhand (hypocrite) sadhu Amogh Lila Das. This should set matters at rest. pic.twitter.com/uUvz4AF7KR

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 11, 2023

The controversial remarks have been highly condemned on social media platforms, especially in West Bengal.

A representative of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission (HQ), on Wednesday, said over the phone, that no statement or reaction has been offered by the Mission on the issue.